Golf facilities across Canada play an essential role in creating opportunities for junior golfers to develop and succeed. Especially for juniors who have competitive aspirations, the opportunity to play and practice at an accessible facility is a critical ingredient in their journeys.

Time spent at the golf course during childhood builds the skills required to succeed in competitive golf. And the work ethic cultivated by effortful practice develops a strength of character in a young person that is transferrable to whatever future endeavors they may pursue – whether related to golf or not.

Accordingly, providing a determined young person with the access to play, practice, and pursue their golfing dreams at a welcoming golf course can change the trajectory of their life. My own path was dramatically changed by the opportunities afforded to me as an employee with course access at Donalda Club and a sponsored junior member at Bayview Country Club in Toronto. The chance to play and practice at these facilities was the foundation that ultimately led to a golf scholarship at Stanford University. Many golf facilities across the country recognize the impact they can have on young people and have made it a priority to provide juniors with affordable course privileges. Thank you!

However, there are still barriers for some competitive juniors to gain access to adequate golf facilities. The increased popularity of golf has made courses very busy, and in some cases, facilities have managed this heightened demand by limiting junior memberships or scaling back course access. In some major metropolitan areas, the only way for competitive juniors to gain regular course and practice facility access is through family club memberships that require a significant investment.

Increased demand for golf in Canada has created prosperity for our industry and positively impacted the overall health of our sport. But it has also introduced a new set of choices about how junior golf will be prioritized by facilities. Will public courses continue to sell junior golf memberships when the opportunity cost is significant? Can members-only clubs admit even just a handful of non-family “sponsored” juniors for practice and playing privileges when tee times are already in extremely high demand? Can a facility provide its course to host a junior championship?

In one sense, these are challenging decisions to make in today’s extraordinary environment. However, when viewed through a long-term lens, the future health of golf participation in Canada – and also the future opportunity for Canadians to emerge as touring professionals – is dependent on courses across our country choosing to prioritize access for junior golfers. This is why Golf Canada is urgent about expanding First Tee across Canada and is grateful for the philanthropic support enabling this growth. If junior golf access is limited now, we will see problematic impacts on participation in the future.

Accordingly, Golf Canada wishes to more prominently thank the golf facilities and programs that are stepping up and already making a significant positive contribution to junior golf in Canada. To publicly and formally recognize their impact, beginning in 2022 a new series of awards called the Golf Canada National Awards for Junior Golf will be presented to celebrate facility achievements and create a heightened national awareness for how golf facilities can effectively support junior golf in their respective communities.

Awards will be presented to facilities and programs who are setting a national example by creating affordable and accessible junior membership opportunities, serving as a host location for tournaments, introducing new golfers to the sport, and developing nationally successful competitive players. Award winners for the 2022 season will be announced at the Golf Canada’s 2023 Annual General Meeting. Please see the detailed summary below for more information about the Golf Canada National Facility Awards for Junior Golf, including award categories, nomination process, and timelines.

Along with most golfers across Canada, we believe that all juniors who are passionate about golf and serious about their competitive development should have affordable access to a facility where they can pursue their dreams. We are grateful for the facilities who share this vision and already support junior golf in a significant way. Thank you! We look forward to recognizing you publicly and celebrating your leadership so it can be followed across Canada.

Go Canada Go!
Kevin

The Golf Canada National Facility Awards for Junior Golf

The following awards will be presented:

Junior Golf Opportunity Award
Awarded to a facility that provides exceptional access and membership opportunities for junior golfers. Special consideration is given to facilities with strong non-family sponsored junior programs and facilities with fundraising programs to help athletes compete at provincial, national, and international competitions.

First Tee Program Location of the Year
Awarded to a First Tee Program Location that demonstrates excellent enrollment in First Tee programming and makes a significant impact on growing participation among new juniors within its community.

Youth on Course Program Location of the Year
Awarded to the facility that provides the largest number of Youth on Course green fee subsidies to junior golfers in the calendar year.

Competitive Junior Program of the Year
Awarded to a facility or academy program with many junior athletes competing in provincial and national championships and earning strong results in those championships.

Grassroots Junior Program of the Year
Awarded to a facility or academy program that is excelling at creating new junior golfers through local programming.

Tournament Host of the Year
Awarded to a facility that gives back to junior golf by embracing the opportunity to host junior competitions. The facility creates an excellent tournament experience for players and involves the local community through volunteers and fundraising support.

NOMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Week of May 30 – Individual Golf Canada Members and Golf Canada Member Facilities are notified of the National Facility Awards for Junior Golf program in 2022.

September 6 – Applications are opened to all individual Golf Canada members and member facilities to nominate facilities for each award category. Facilities are encouraged to apply themselves.

October 31 – Deadline for Golf Canada to receive all nominations using the online nomination portal.

November 2022 – Nominations are reviewed by the Golf Industry Advisory Council, Sport Committee, and Amateur Championships Committee. Members from these groups will be asked to rank nominees using a matrix provided by the Golf Services department. Volunteers with an affiliation to a nominated facility will be recused from discussions relating to that facility.

December 2022 – Staff from Golf Services, Amateur Championships, and High Performance departments will work together to review all feedback and determine a final ranking of nominees within each category. Staff with an affiliation to a nominated facility will be recused from discussions relating to that facility. A short list of finalists will be published in each category.

February 2023 – Award winners will be announced and recognized at Golf Canada’s Annual General Meeting.

March 2023 – Awards will be shipped to each recipient and a press release will be created for all award winners.

NOMINATE A FACILITY

AWARDS

A plaque will be provided to each award-winning facility on behalf of Golf Canada to recognize the award and celebrate its contributions to junior golf in Canada.

Facilities will not be eligible to win in the same award category in consecutive years.

A panel of judges examined close to 120 stories, photos, videos and podcasts to identify the finest content created by members of the Golf Journalists Association of Canada (GJAC) in 2021.

There was an astonishing variety of content produced across many platforms in 2021 in the world of Canadian golf journalism. The judges faced a difficult task but managed to identify the cream of the crop in seven categories: Column, Profile, Feature, Travel, Photography (Action), Photography (Landscape) and Multimedia.

There were some notable highlights from this year’s award, including multiple stories focussing on the ways in which golf is growing and impacting a wide variety of communities (and vice versa), stories such as Adam Stanley’s first place column on the growing influence of women in the game, Curtis Gillespie’s story on golf and First Nations communities and Rick Drennan’s story on all-abilities golfer Kevin Pritchard. Other highlights included Bernard Brault’s sweep of the Photo Action category. Adam Stanley and Lorne Rubenstein were the biggest winners in the writing categories, winning three awards each.

The full list of 2021 GJAC Award winners is below:

Column

• First Place: Adam Stanley – “Power Drive: How Women are Growing golf,” Toronto Star
• Second Place: Lorne Rubenstein – “My Home of Golf,” Score Golf
• Third Place: Lorne Rubenstein – “Are We Defining Sporting Success Correctly?” Score Golf

Travel

• First Place: Cabot Cliffs and Links – Anita Draycott                                                       
• Second Place: Algonquin Diary Pt 1- Lorne Rubenstein                                                     
• Third Place: Hitting the High Life – Anita Draycott                                                           

Photo – Action

• First Place: Bernard Brault – “Players Practicing at Elm Ridge”                
• Second Place: Bernard Brault – “Hitting out of the bunker at the Island Course.”
• Third Place: Bernard Brault – “Canadian Juniors Final Round”

(All three photos were published by Golf Canada)

Photo – Landscape

• First Place: Alex Forbes – “Morning Light” The Preferred Lie      
• Second Place: Brendan Stasiewich – “Oh What a Feeling,” PGA of Canada
• Third Place: Bernard Brault – “Autumn golf at the Chateau Bromont Club,” Golf Canada

Profile

• First Place: Rick Drennan – “My Most Memorable 9,” Pro Shop Magazine
• Second Place: Adam Stanley – “Corey Conners,” Toronto Star
• Third Place: Adam Stanley – “Albin Choi,” Toronto Star

Multimedia

• First Place: The Preferred Lie – “The Comeback”
• Second Place: Explore Canada – “Charting the Course: Niagara”
• Third Place: Explore Canada – “Charting the Course: Saskatoon”

Features

• First Place: Curtis Gillespie – “A Nation of Golfers,” Score Golf
• Second Place: Jason Logan – “All in the Family,” Score Golf
• Third Place: David McPherson – “Turf Management at Altitude,” Golf Course Management

GJAC wishes to offer its thanks to the judges for their effort and insight.

This year’s judges were Jeff Brooke, Harvey Freedenberg, Craig Gardner, Tim O’Connor, Terry Lenyk, Robert Thompson, Scott MacLeod, Mike Johnny, Norm MacDonald, Pierre Michaud, Scot Morison and Sandra Thompson.

GJAC’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee introduces new Media category for 2022 Awards

As the association continues to look at new ways to become more inclusive in all areas of operations, GJAC announced the introduction of a new category in the Media awards for 2022. This new award will recognize and honor work from 2022 that features and focuses on any aspect of equity, diversity and/or inclusion. Eligibility for this new award is for any work (writing or multi-media) that raises awareness about the challenges and opportunities related to DEI with a focus on women, people of colour, the Indigenous Community, LGBTQ+ community, and/or individuals with disabilities.

Steinbach, Man. – Amy Seung Hyun Lee and Alex Swinnerton were crowned champions of their respective divisions at the shortened NextGen Prairie Championship, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards.

The final round of the junior event at Quarry Oaks Golf Course in Steinbach, Manitoba was cancelled on Sunday due to inclement weather.

Hyun Lee’s second round bogey-free, three-under par 69 leapfrogged her into first place and, eventually, the winner’s circle. The Langley B.C. native’s round of 69 ties her with Lucy Lin for the lowest round by a Junior Girl at a NextGen Championship this year.

Aastha Savadatti of Calgary, Alta. finished in sole possession of second place at +6 on the tournament, while Ha Young Chang of Surrey, B.C. rounded out the top-three at +8.

Swinnerton carded rounds of one-under par 71 and two-under par 70, respectively, to earn the Junior Boys title with a four-stroke victory over Matthew Javier. The Saskatoon, Sask. native made four birdies on each of the two days for a total of eight en route to the NextGen Prairie Championship.

Click here for full results of the 2022 NextGen Prairie Championship.

Including Hyun Lee, the top six players in the Junior Girls division have earned exemptions into the 2022 Canadian Junior Girls Championship taking place July 25-29 at The Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa, Ont.

From the Junior Boys division, the top six players have earned exemptions into the 2022 Canadian Junior Boys Championship, August 6-10, at Rivershore Estates & Golf Links in Kamloops, British Columbia.

About the NextGen Championships series, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards

The NextGen Championships, fueled by JOURNIE Rewards is a high-performance junior golf series which totals eight competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2022 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf. 

TORONTO, Ont. – Rory McIlroy’s bid to defend his RBC Canadian Open title is complete.

McIlroy fired an eight-under par 62 in the final round of Sunday’s National Open at St. George’s Golf & Country Club to win his second consecutive RBC Canadian Open, three years and four days after he hoisted the trophy in 2019 at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.

“It means an awful lot. I feel like it’s getting tougher and tougher to win on the PGA TOUR,” said McIlroy. “I went out with a lead and had to shoot 8-under par to get the job done. So, the depth of talent on this TOUR is really, really impressive.”

The Northern Irishman’s win in Canada marks his first-ever successful title defence on the PGA TOUR and his 21^st tournament victory, putting him in a tie for 31^st on the all-time wins list.

“Super happy to get that 21st win [and] to defend,” said McIlroy. “To play in a final group like that with that atmosphere all day. I mean the fans here this week have just been absolutely unbelievable – like so good and so cool to play in an atmosphere like that. Boisterous, loud, but respectful.”

The 33-year-old joins J. Douglas Edger, Leo Diegel, Sam Snead, Jim Ferrier, Jim Furyk and Jhonattan Vegas as players to win back-to-back at the RBC Canadian Open. McIlroy is also the first champion since Jim Furyk in 2006-07 to win back-to-back titles at two different venues—Furyk accomplishing the feat at Hamilton Golf & Country Club (2006) and Angus Glen Golf Club (2007) while McIlroy followed up his 2019 victory at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.

McIlroy is now two-for-two north of the border and his return for 2023 at Oakdale Golf & Country Club is all but confirmed.

Justin Rose’s final round 10-under par 60 is the lowest final round score in the history of the tournament, one upping McIlroy’s 61 in the final round of the 2019 RBC Canadian Open.

Corey Conners went out with a bang, matching McIlroy’s round of eight-under par 62 and catapulting up the leaderboard for a sixth-place finish. The Listowel, Ont. native earned the Rivermead Challenge Cup as the low-Canadian professional at the RBC Canadian Open for the first time.

“There’s a great list of Canadians who have their names on that trophy, so definitely an honor to have my name added,” said Conners. “It was a great week and hopefully start there and can challenge for the title in the next few years.”

Tony Finau entered Sunday’s final round with a share of the lead, and albeit a respectable six-under 64, he could not keep pace with the eventual winner. Justin Thomas also carded a final round 64 to finish in sole position of third place.

Keith Mitchell and Wyndham Clark have qualified for the 150^th playing of The Open Championship as the leading two finishers within the top-eight who weren’t otherwise already exempt into the tournament. The Open will be played at St. Andrews, July 14-17.

View the full leaderboard here. 

Brooke Henderson returned to the winning circle with a comeback victory at the 2022 ShopRite LPGA Classic.

The 24-year-old trailed by four strokes entering the final round, but rallied on Sunday, firing a bogey-free, seven-under par 64 on the Bay Course at Seaview Golf Club en route to her 11^th LPGA Tour title.

“Coming into today I just was trying to go low and see what happens. I didn’t think — I mean, I thought the victory was a possibility, but there are a lot of really talented players ahead of me and I think I was four shots back starting the day,” said Henderson. “I knew it was going to take a little bit of magic, and I’m just really happy that I’m sitting here next to the trophy.”

Henderson tapped in for birdie on no. 18 to secure the clubhouse lead at 12-under, but Lindsey Weaver-Wright matched the Canadian’s effort to force a playoff. In extra holes, Henderson prevailed, making an eagle to claim the trophy.  

“I had 193 to the pin. It was a little into the wind and I hit knock-down 7-wood. It’s the same club I hit on 9 that I made eagle there, too, so that was — that club was definitely working for me today. I’ll have to give it a pat on the head later,” said Henderson.

Henderson’s final round score of 64 is the Smith Falls, Ont. native’s lowest score of the 2022 season, and lowest score on the LPGA Tour since the final round of last year’s LPGA Classic where she finished T2. 

The winningest Canadian in golf history inched closer and closer to the top in Galloway, before finally getting her hands on the trophy this week. 

In 2019, Henderson notched a T11 finish, followed by a T6 result in 2020. One year later, in 2021, she returned to Seaview Golf Club and secured a T2 finish, before competing her run to glory on Sunday for her first LPGA win since the 2021 DIO Implant LA Open. 

With her win, Henderson is projected to climb ten spots, from 12^th to second, on the CME Globe points list.  

Next up for the Canadian is the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give, an event Henderson has won twice before, in 2017 and 2019.

St George’s Golf & Country Club hosted the 2022 RBC Canadian Open for the sixth time in its 111 year history (1933, 1949, 1960, 1968 and 2010).

After 1093 days and two years of cancellations due to the global pandemic, the world’s best golfers returned to Canada for our National Open.

The anticipation leading up to the this year’s tournament has been second to none and the turnout speaks for itself.

“It’s unbelievable, the atmosphere out there today was, I mean I can’t remember the last time I played in an atmosphere like that. It was really special,” said Rory McIlroy following his third round performance.

With the use of drone technology, Golf Canada captured dynamic and innovative views inside the clubhouse and on the grounds overlooking the 18th hole at St. George’s.

Toronto (June 11, 2022) – Cloudy skies threatened rain at the RBC Canadian Open today, but the sunshine prevailed as the world’s top golfers teed it up at St. George’s Golf & Country Club.
 
FINAU, MCILROY LEAD HEADING INTO FINAL ROUND AT RBC CANADIAN OPEN
 
Tony Finau and Rory McIlroy sit atop the leaderboard at 11-under par after 54 holes at St. George’s Golf & Country Club. Finau’s eight-under par 62 was the low-score of the day and lowest round at the National Open since McIlroy’s 61 in the final round of the 2019 RBC Canadian Open. The Salt Lake City, Utah native tallied three birdies and an eagle through a four-hole (nos. 8 to 11) stretch to catapult up the leaderboard.
 
McIlroy continued his bid to successfully defend his RBC Canadian Open title with a five-under par 65 to grab a share of the lead. The 33-year-old is looking to become the first player to win a PGA TOUR event (non-major) back-to-back at two different courses since Jim Furyk, who won in 2006 at Hamilton G&CC and then defended his title at Angus Glen Golf Course (North) in 2007.
 
Justin Thomas, Sam Burns, Wyndham Clark and Alex Smalley sit at nine-under par, two shots back of the leaders, at nine-under par, entering the final round. Thomas’ seven-under par 63 matched his lowest round on the PGA TOUR this season since the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open. Burns will be vying for his second win on TOUR in in just a two-week span after winning the Charles Schwab Challenge on May 29.

Nick Taylor and Corey Conners were on the move on moving day at the RBC Canadian Open. The Canadian duo fired rounds of three-under par 67 and four-under par 66, respectively, to climb into the top-20 heading into Sunday’s final round.
 
“I’m probably not going to do much leaderboard watching, just keep my head down,” said Taylor. “I’ll see tonight what the lead is and have an idea of probably where I want to get to. But it’s such a jam-packed leaderboard and there’s a stretch of holes where you can really get after it. So, if I’m kind of hanging around through 8 then I think I have a decent chance.”
 
For the full leaderboard click here.
 
FINAL ROUND SCHEDULE
Final round tee times will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. with threesomes off the first and ninth tees. The expected finish time is 6:00 p.m., with the trophy presentation to follow. For the full list of pairing click here.
 
CANADIAN LEADERBOARD 
 

 
Click here for the full tournament leaderboard.
 
PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPTS
The following player transcripts from Friday’s press conferences at St. George’s Golf & Country Club are available online for the following:
 
Rory McIlroy
Wyndham Clark
Sam Burns
Tony Finau
Justin Thomas
Nick Taylor
Sebastian Munoz
Adam Svensson
Corey Conners
Bo Van Pelt
Mackenzie Hughes
Nick Hardy
 
RBC CANADIAN OPEN FAST FACTS

• Number of times a leader went on to win (1945-present) after 54 Holes – 51 times
• Last to defend the RBC Canadian Open title successfully –  Jhonattan Vegas, 2017
• Lowest Canadian score, 54 Holes – Adam Hadwin (65-66-67) Hamilton G&CC, Hamilton ON, 2019
• Last winner who won the RBC Canadian Open on his first try-  Rory McIlroy, 2019.
• Last player to win a PGA TOUR event (non-major) back-to-back at two different courses was Jim Furyk, who won in 2006 at Hamilton G&CC and then defended his title at Angus Glen Golf Course (North) in 2007.

 
PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE GOLF CANADA FOUNDATION 50/50 RAFFLE IN SUPPORT OF FIRST TEE – CANADA
From Wednesday afternoon through Sunday week, Golf Canada Foundation will be selling 50/50 tickets on-site at the RBC Canadian Open & CP Women’s Open tournaments. The draw will take place Sunday evening, with the winning number announced here on the Foundation website and across social media channels. Proceeds from the raffle in support of the First Tee – Canada, the official beneficiary of the RBC Canadian Open, will benefit junior golf initiatives and help to grow the game in Ontario and across the nation. Click here for more information.
 
2022 MEDIA GUIDE AND PLAYER PERFORMANCE BOOK:
Media can also download the 2022 RBC Canadian Open Media Guide for complete stats, records and historical information. Media can also download the 2019 RBC Canadian Open Player Performance Book which details individual player statistics from 1904-2019. Tournament notes can be found on the PGA TOUR virtual media centre here.
 
BROADCAST COVERAGE:
The following are broadcast times for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open:
 
Sunday, June 12th             1:00pm – 3:00pm (GOLF) | 3:00pm – 6:00pm (CTV; TSN1; RDS; CBS)
 
MOBILE APP EXPERIENCE
Experience the RBC Canadian Open like never before by downloading the Golf Canada Mobile App on your iOS or Android device. Essential features include a live map, mobile ordering, leaderboard & pairings, tickets, breaking news and special events. Plus, use the Golf Canada Mobile App to enhance your experience while playing! Find golf courses, track your game, set up matches against friends, access GPS yardages and more. Click here to download.
 
THE OPEN QUALIFYING
The 2022 RBC Canadian Open is also part of The Open Championship Qualifying Series. The top-2 finishers at the RBC Canadian Open (not otherwise exempt) earn a spot in the field of The 150th Open Championship, July 10-17, 2022, at St Andrews in Fife, Scotland.

LEWISTON — The finishing holes at Niagara Falls Country Club have traditionally stressed the cardiac function of amateur golfers in championship pursuit. That held true again Friday in a dramatic conclusion to the ninth Women’s Porter Cup.

On her fifth lap of the undulating, 165-yard 18th hole, Katie Cranston wondered what the monitor on her wrist was reading about the physical and mental strain incurred by a late-round rally and an extended sudden-death playoff.

Cranston steadied her nerves and outlasted Ontarian neighbor Brooke Rivers on the fourth playoff hole to claim Porter Cup crystal from her first amateur tournament victory.

“I’m so happy,” Cranston said after walking off the green to hugs from teammates on Canada’s National Junior Squad wearing matching pink polo shirts. “I’ve won junior events, but amateurs is something different. It’s a whole new level.”

Cranston, an 18-year-old from Oakville, Ontario who will play college golf for Auburn University, emerged from five strokes back with five holes remaining in medal play to match Rivers at 5-under par 211 through 54 holes and force a playoff.

“I honestly thought it was over,” said Cranston, who pulled within a stroke of Rivers after opening the back nine with a pair of birdies, only to give four back with a bogey on No. 11 and double-bogey on 12. “I just thought, secure your second place and be happy with that.”

Officials ceased speculating on who might win and started questioning whether Rivers, a 17-year-old from Brampton, Ontario who competes for Canada’s National Amateur Squad and has committed to Wake Forest, would break the tournament record (11-under) held by Brooke Henderson (2014) and Ana Paula Valdes (2018). Having entered the final round with a one stroke lead at 5-under par, Rivers went 10-under after making birdie on her opening three holes and five of the first 12 on Friday.

That was before Rivers’ approach shot on the 360-yard 14th hole ricocheted off a greenside hill and rolled a foot beyond the out-of-bounds stakes. Rivers, who carded just three bogeys through the first 49 holes and none yet in the final round, took a triple on the par-4, trimming her lead to two strokes.

Rivers maintained that advantage as she and Cranston both made double-bogey on the 16th hole and birdied the 17th. Shooting from the elevated tee box on the 18th, Cranston landed within 10 feet of the pin before sinking her birdie putt, while Rivers plopped in the sand trap beneath the green on her way to another bogey.

“We both had a couple hiccups,” Cranston said. “It was honestly just a big mess. But we kind of equaled each other out.”

The tension increased through repeated battles on No. 18. They went shot for shot three times through, following one another into bunkers off the tee and downhill putts skirting past the cup for par-bogey-bogey.

Both took an extra club for the fourth playoff tee shot into a stiffening wind. Cranston blasted out of the sand to the middle of the green and two-putt from 15 feet for bogey. Rivers putted once from the fairway in front of the green and three more times from closer range to give Cranston the victory.

“Reading the greens were quite difficult, and putting was definitely my weak point,” Rivers said. “The entire week, I played well, was swinging it well, was hitting it how I wanted to. My short game was where I needed it to be. Putting was what let me down.”

Cranston admitted her focus waned as fatigue accumulated on the playoff holes.

“By the end, I wasn’t as into the shot as I could’ve been,” she said.

Cranston’s cheerful demeanor, however, held up as the pressure mounted.

“I was happy either way,” Cranston said. “Obviously, I’d be a little bummed if I didn’t win. But I was happy with myself if I would’ve pretty much T-1. I was kind of loose, and if she made a good putt, she deserved to win.”

Rivers concluded Cranston “was solid, kept her game together, stuck to what she was supposed to do, and kept hitting good shots.”

No matter how fast her heartbeat.

Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).

Allan Lu, Quilchena, Hole #13

Thank you for your email.

I waited over 30 years for the moment.

I was playing with Ted Tran, Ustani Tran, and Ally Ng.

The yardage was around 148-150 back pin location.

I was hitting my 9 iron with a little draw and landed around 4-5 yards short and roll in the hole.

Antoinette Krusto, Glendale, Hole #4

What a wonderful surprise. I just got a new set of irons and have been having some difficulty adjusting to them. Not anymore! I hit an 8 iron 99 yards to the pin on Glendale #4 hole. I was golfing with Mary-Ann Burgess, Jessica Mancini and Susan Vance  – my regular Sunday morning group. I was sure popular when I came in and everyone enjoyed their free drink. I look forward to seeing this on the Golf Canada page. 

Antoinette Krusto

Brad Hannah, Langara Golf Course, Hole #14

Thank you for your email, first one during competition. 

Earlier in the year, I had a hole-in-one on the same hole playing with some buddies. Who knew it would happen again?

On Sunday it was raining, hole was playing 158 yards, 7 iron, to a three-tiered green.

Playing with a member, Dan Gomes, and we did not see it go in, but we knew it was close as the middle part of the green is below first tier.

When we approached the green, we did not see my ball so I immediately got excited and sure enough it was in.

Brett Van Den Bossche, Revelstoke Golf Club, Hole #14

The ace happened on hole 14 at the Revelstoke Golf Course. It was playing 140, a hair downhill to a back right pin. I was down in a skins match 8-2 and we had 4 skins riding on the hole and I had to give my buddy a stroke on a short par 3 so in my mind I needed a birdie just to push. 

I hit a 52-degree wedge right at it and it never left the stick. It landed about 3 feet long, but with the firm greens I had given up on it going in and was just happy to have a good look at a two. But after a short hop forward it ripped back, and my buddy called it in just before it dropped in dead weight. 

Needless to say, the entire course heard us and I managed to take the remainder of the skins to eke out a 10-8 win. Broke my buddy’s heart, but if there’s a way to do it, I think that’s it!

This wasn’t my first ace. I got one in 2015 in California, but this one is extra special getting to share it with a couple friends. 

Thanks for reaching out and to anyone out there patiently waiting for theirs, I promise you the wait is well worth it. 

Cheers, 

Brett 

Cody Stewart, Fredericton Golf Club, Hole #4

When I recorded the hole-in-one I was playing with David Dewolfe, Nathan Greenbank and Jacob Ebbett. I hit a 9 iron from 174 yards. It was our normal grouping, and we always play a match. Jacob had just hit a really good shot to 12 feet before I hit and then I followed it up with the hole in one. It was the first for any of us, so we were very excited. Glad that those guys were there with me when it happened! Yes, you have my permission to share this information on your social platforms and golfcanada.ca. Thank you for the graphic. 

Colin Ben, Silver Springs, Hole #7

Playing with Gary Simpson, Ron Anderson, Scott Shepherd. Silver Springs G&CC Blue Tee. #7 193 Yards uphill into the wind, 3 hybrid (played a 215 yd shot).  

Debbie Clark, Beverly, Hole #7

Good day:

I got my hole in one on the 7th hole at the Beverly Golf Club on Friday June 3rd. I was playing with my husband, John Benedetti, and our friends, Barb Galway and her husband Paul McKeon. The pin was at 119 yards and I hit a 9 iron.

It rained and we were called off the course twice due to storms, we went back out the 2nd time and finished all 18 holes, taking 6 hours. True friends to play the whole round with me!

Thanks,

Debbie Clark

Don Dayian, Upper Unionville, Hole #8

Thank you for your email. I played the course with two good friends of mine in the afternoon. 

8th hole

126 yards

Pitching Wedge

Randy from Upper Unionville Golf Club was very courteous, offering me a UU hole in hat for the accomplishment, I was very impressed with the kind gesture…it’s the little things that should make us happy!

Eddie Chan, Coppinwood, Hole #11

I was playing with 3 other members – Lawrence Ho, Juan Lau and Huy Do. Yardage was 180 Yards – Hole 11. Club Used: 5 iron.

I’ve attached some pictures.  Feel free to share on your social media channels and GolfCanada.ca.

Thanks,

Eddie

Fred Dyck, Harvest Golf Club, Hole #16

Hole No. 16

175 yards uphill (front flag)

5 Iron

Playing with other Harvest member, Guy Frigon.

You may share.

Greg Hay, Country Hills Golf Course, Hole #6

It was the 6th hole on the Talons course. It was 125 yards and I used an 8 iron. I was playing with Ross Fujino, Jim Foster and Mike Taylor. No pictures.

This was my 3rd Hole-in-One.

Feel free to put on GolfCanada.ca.

Greg

Joe Chambers, McCleery Public, Hole #7

Hello,

Thanks for the email. Yes, you can share the hole in one on your website and social. I have attached a couple of photos.

It was the 7th hole at McCleery Golf Course. The yardage was 133 yards and I used a 7 iron. I was playing with my sister Colleen Chambers, friend Michael Tablit, and Jennifer Sydenham.

Thanks so much,

Joe Chambers

Jordan Pettetie, Sturgeon Valley, Hole #5

Thanks for the email! I was playing in a foursome with one of the others being a Golf Canada member: Chance Thomas. The yardage was 142 yards and pitching wedge was club of choice. I have also attached a photo!

Thanks again.

Lane Menage, Lloydminster, Hole #6

It was a beautiful morning in Lloydminister and I was playing with three of my best friends. Their names are Mark, Rylan and Stephane. I was having a particularly rough round so I just reached in my bag and grabbed whatever ball came out. It turned out to be a very dirty taylormade ball. My friends were laughing at me saying why are you using that ball! When we got to hole 6 it was playing 179 yards from the blue tee’s and I pulled a 7 iron out of the bag. It was the purest 7 iron I have ever hit. As soon as I hit it it felt so good! The ball flight never left the flag and my friends kept saying “oh this looks good! Ohhhh this could go in” we heard a loud bang as the ball struck the pin and disappeared. We didn’t see it land on the green and my friends got very excited! I wasn’t buying it as I thought I saw something go right after we heard the ball hit the pin. My friends kept telling me it was In. I grew more curious and more excited but I had to wait for Stephane to hit. After he hit we rush down to the green, I ran towards the hole and didn’t see any balls that’s could have been mine. I got more and more excited and when I got to the hole I saw my dirty Taylormade ball sitting in the hole! I screamed with excitement and threw my hat with extreme excitement and started running away from my friends. Haha. When I turned around they were chasing me down and we celebrated on the green for a few minutes and took a couple pictures. The old dirty Taylormade ball is now retired and I still can’t believe this is real life. What a day, something my friends and I will never forget!  

You can absolutely share my story and picture on your website and social Chanel’s, thank you for reaching out! 

Cheers,

Lane Menage 

Larry Plante, The Dunes at Kamloops, Hole #13

Thank you for the email.

It was hole 13 at the Dunes of Kamloops. It was hailing at the time with a little wind. The yardage was 143 and I hit a pitching wedge. 

Thank you,

Larry Plante

Mary Monk, Kelowna Springs, Hole #13

Happy to share my story. I was with two of my golf girls on the 13th hole at Kelowna Springs; Maureen Ziprick and Gloria Westgate.   

The distance that day was showing 122, which put me in between clubs. I opted for my 7 iron – glad I did. I could see the flag but not the hole. My friends said “it went in”! I didn’t take them seriously. When I got up to the green and didn’t see my ball I figured I over shot the green. Gloria walked over to the pin and said it’s in!

Needless to say my friends and I were thrilled as were some of the other golfers that were close by.  

Thank you for interest in my hole in one. It was a great afternoon.  

Matthew Hunter, Riveredge Golf Club, Hole #4

Was playing with a few buddies on men’s night. Yardage was around 137 yards. Little into the wind. Hit 8 iron. Nice high draw. Two bounces and the ball vanished. Because the pin was tucked just over a ridge we weren’t 100% certain if it was in or bounced long. Didn’t take long once we arrived on the green before we located the ball in the hole. I ran all the way back to the tee and jumped in the pond with the boys chasing/filming.  

Feel free to share as you please!

Maureen Haight, Sirocco Golf Club, Hole #7

Thank you for acknowledging my Hole In One at Sirocco Golf course, where I am a member. It was very exciting. 

I retired on May 1, 2022 and had my first ever hole-in-one on May 31, 2022;  which is a great way to start my retirement.

I was playing in our Ladies’ League with three great friends. It was a gorgeous evening.

We were on hole 7, down hill to the pin 93 yards. The pin was middle left. I used my wedge; the shot felt good and even better, when it rolled into the hole.

Please feel free to share my story and picture.

Mike Wraith, St. Mary’s, Hole #18

Thank you for the congratulations. I was playing with Rich Parsons and Jim Robson. The 18^th hole was playing about 122 yards from the white tee block and I used a 9 iron. It was my third ace on that hole.

Thanks again,

Mike Wraith

Sue Stankievech, Kamloops, Hole #4

I played with Garry Stankievech and Brent Bowden. Yardage 132. I used a 3 wood. The ball hit the front of the green and rolled in the hole, we all saw it.  So exciting. 

Tim Ricketts, Beaconsfield Golf Club, Hole #8

Hi. Tks,

No problem on sharing the info. 

So it was hole #8 at Beaconsfield Golf Club, about 160 yds into wind. I hit a 7 iron, one bounce and in landed in the hole on the second bounce. 

I was playing with fellow members Shep Abbey and Cameron Long.

Photo attached.

Tim

Tim Whitton, St. Mary’s, Hole #2

Thank you for you email. It was my first hole-in-one, hole #2, 179 was the yardage that day with the pin front on the two-tiered green. I hit 3 rescue and well it went in. I was playing with Mike Forestell and Laurie  Jackson.

I have attached the photo Mike took of me retrieving the ball.

Tim

Vic Juzenas, Batteaux Creek, Hole #8

I was playing with my wife Cheryl Juzenas. However Sunday was a slow day the group behind us was waiting on the same tee with us Andrew Lauren also witnessed it. 

I used a 9 iron pin was 127 yards from yellow tees.

This is my 5th hole-in-one, the second on the 8th hole at Batteaux. I also had a hole in one at Settlers’ Ghost 2 weeks previous. All of my hole-in-ones have been at Golf North managed courses. I had one in 1992 at Trafalgar.

Hopefully I have not had my luck run out.

Vic Juzenas 

Vishal Tulsi, Silvertip Golf Resort, Hole #3

Thanks for reaching out. I was playing with my brother-in-law the day before his wedding at Silvertip in Canmore.

The hole was number 3 playing 196 yds. I hit a solid 6 iron and it was tracking but we lost sight of the ball as the green is slightly uphill. When we got to the green I didn’t see my ball so I checked the cup and saw my ball in the hole!

It was an incredible experience and was capped off by an awesome wedding the next day.

Thanks!

Vishal Tulsi

Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.

Ian McQueen’s extraordinary ability to  manicure a championship caliber golf course is on display, and the culmination of this achievement has not gone unnoticed.   

The St. George’s Golf and Country Club superintendent was hosting his first PGA TOUR event, and his member association was on hand to present him with a commemorative plaque. 

McQueen is an 18-year member of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) whose reputation for ensuring the fair and consistent management of golf courses precedes him, and this award puts a stamp on his accomplishments.

“It means a lot,” he said. “It’s been a goal of mine to be at St. George’s, and come back to Toronto where I grew up and host a national event like this.”

The year marked the 111th RBC Canadian Open, aged only behind The Open Championship and the U.S. Open among national championships, and by nature presents challenges with rooted expectations. 

Tasked with maintaining St. George’s member satisfaction, and meeting the Open’s  planning objectives, under the cloud of a pandemic, required strong leadership and the buy-in of his team. More remarkably, he ensured that St. George’s remains ranked among the top-five facilities in the country. 

“Delaying it for a couple years actually gave us a great run through spring to make sure we had everything in place (for the tournament),” he said. “It was a challenge, but something that we accepted, and I think we accomplished as a team.” 

Before arriving at St. George’s, McQueen honed his craft between public, semi-private and private golf clubs. 

His previous club, The Club at Bond Head, has a long-standing reputation that praises its stunning views, challenging holes, and well-maintained grounds. It is also known for being tournament ready by May. 

The key difference with managing St. George’s is the added support of private membership that helps him achieve the course conditions that fit his ideal vision.

“When you get to a private club like St. George’s, the support from the membership, board, and club allows you to achieve (the) goals and conditions that you want to produce on a day-to-day basis,” he said. 

The challenges involved with managing a golf course in Canada’s climate also presents an unpredictability that is near impossible to gauge, and one that McQueen has consistently managed to handle. 

“Managing turf conditions to the standard that we want takes into consideration all of the weather inputs; the uncontrollable that we can’t control makes it difficult,” he said. “I have a great staff of about 45 people, who you couldn’t do without — without them we would never get it to what it is today.”